Sony is to cut the Japanese cost of its forthcoming PlayStation 3 console by 20%, the consumer electronics giant announced in Tokyo on Friday. The price cut is aimed at boosting the launch of the machine and making it more competitive with the Xbox 360. The surprise move will see the 20 gigabyte version of the PS3 sell for 49,980 yen ($430) when it goes on sale on 11 November in Japan. No changes to the price of the higher end model - 60GB version - or European and US prices were announced.